1)  Research;  

Finding an experienced therapist and well educated in the field of bodywork you require will pay off tremendously.  There are specialist in the field of Sports, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Prenatal, Deep Tissue, Reflexology, and Spa settings.  Ask for referrals, look online for listings like Yelp or check Google for reviews.  California requires 300 hours of education to be a CMT.  I recommend finding a therapist with 500-1000 hours of education to better your massage.  Reason being, therapist with more education know more regarding physiology of the body and anatomy.

2) Communicate;

Personalize your massage and communicate with your therapist, your needs, expectations and areas of concern.  If there is an intake form be as thorough as possible regarding injuries, medication, surgeries or symptoms.  Ask your therapist questions regarding schooling or where they have worked? How long they have been in practice?  Taking time to get to know your therapist will build trust.

3) Arriving and Leaving;

Relax your body and mind both before and after your massage.  Before your massage taking a hot bath in epsom salt or going in the sauna or a small hike will warm up the body.  After the massage relaxing and not incorporating anything to stressful is beneficial to allow the sensation of well being to be felt.

4) Relax;

Get comfortable on the table.  Adjust the bolsters and request the face cradle be adjusted if need be.  If cold, ask the heat be turned up or add a blanket.  Breathe deep and slow to bring full awareness from the mind to the body.  Ask the therapist to adjust the pressure to your needs.

5) Benefits;

 There are numerous amounts of benefits from massage.  The release of stress and tension from the body.  An increase in the effect of the immune system.  A significant increase in the recovery time of being athletic.  More importantly a sense of overall well being just to name a few.  

Nicholas Mattson, LMT.

nicholasmattson@gmail.com

(530) 448-2509